What membership in Downtown Bedford, Inc. means to you, your business or organization.

The activities, projects and promotions of Downtown Bedford, Inc. are designed with a single goal in mind. That goal is to improve the business climate in Bedford and to attract people to our beautiful, historic downtown. An attractive and vital downtown with activities, places to eat and shop, and things to see make the area more attractive to prospective businesses; not just in town but also in the surrounding area. The impact these things have on the entire business climate of our area can be seen in part by the number of tourists who visit our area not just during events like Fall Foliage, but all through the year. Bedford has become a destination for people from many metropolitan areas - Washington, DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

These peoples are attracted to our history, the beauty and safety of the area, and the friendliness of our community. Downtown Bedford, Inc. is working hard to help Bedford put on it's best face; not only for tourists, but especially for the people who live and work in this community. It is your help and financial support that helps to make all this possible.

Thank you for embracing our vision.

How Membership Will Benefit You, Your Business, or Organization

Facade Grant Money	Since November of 2004, we have helped sixteen businesses and property owners finance improvements to their storefronts. Downtown Bedford, Inc. has given over $35,000. in grant money to businesses - this is money from the state - it does not come form local taxes.
Business Recruitment	Maintaining contact with property owners and working with prospective businesses to fill vacancies in the downtown.
Special Events	Throughout the year, DBI hosts many events designed to create traffic in the downtown. In addition to the many sales promotions we organize, we host events such as Antiques on the Square, the Downtown Beach Party, Arts on the Square, the Downtown Bedford Farmers Market (our newest event), the costume Promenade and Blue Moon Bash Halloween events, Christmas decorations in town, the Christmas Parade and the Snowflake Social. We also help with planning, promotion, and staffing of the Fall Foliage Festival.
Community Discount Card	Special offers to community members from many of our business members (card available to business members for an additional $10.)
Group Advertising Rates	DBI has special rates for business members who participate in group advertising.
Web site Links	Link your business web site to the DBI web site.
Monthly Newsletter	Find out what's happening in the downtown each month.
Streetscape Plan Bedford Streetscape Flyer	DBI is working with the EADS Architects of Somerset on a plan for a new streetscape in town. We will be putting up new decorative streetlights and posts, installing a walkway down the hill from Pitt Street to the Fort Museum and park, placing signs at the entrances to town, consolidating and placing underground some of the utilities on the main streets and landscaping the entrances to town and the squares. The planning costs of this project have been covered in large part by a grant from the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. Nearly all the construction costs will also be covered by grants. Bedford Borough and the County will not have to incur any of the costs of this project - this means that the taxpayer does not incur any of the cost either.
Ft. Bedford Reconstruction	The DBI Heritage Committee is working toward their goal of reconstructing the fort at its original location near the Richard Street Bridge. We have applied for and received a $15,000. grant to help defray some of the cost and plan to apply for more money as the project moves along.
The Greenway	Our Greenway Committee is working diligently on a walking, biking, and hiking trail connecting Fort Bedford Park with Old Bedford Village. Again, this is a project that will be funded by state and federal grant money.

Downtown Bedford, Inc. - P.O. Box 286 - 124 South Juliana Street - Bedford, PA - Phone/Fax 814.623.0048 - manager@downtownbedford.com